The Killer and Frank Lloyd Wright by Casey Sherman

 

 

The Killer and Frank Lloyd Wright: The True Story of Mass Murder in Paradise by Casey Sherman. Sourcebooks, 2026. Adult Nonfiction. 720.92

Known for his architectural career and such creations as Taliesin, Taliesin West, and Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright was a man surrounded by women. From his mother to his first wife Kittty with whom he shared six children, he worked to support them all and build a reputation in the world. But, when he fell in love with a married woman with two children, he left them behind to live with Mamah Borthwick Cheney who Frank called his soulmate and wife.  They left America and lived in Berlin for a time. Mamah translated works and had her own career.

In 1914 at Taliesin, the home he built for them in Spring Green, Wisconsin, a hired man, Julian Carleton set fire to the house and killed seven people including Mamah and her children. The tragedy and grisly deaths made newspaper headlines across the world. Many thought this was all Divine Intervention due to their "love nest" and abandoning their former spouses and children.

Not long after, Maude Miriam Noel, a 45 year old expatriate living in Paris, contacted Frank with sympathy. They were soon living together, traveling to Japan for Frank's work, and finally did marry. But, Miriam was jealous and a bit unhinged herself. Kitty also did not approve of the love affair and tried to utilize the Mann Act of 1910 which arrested people who crossed state lines for immoral purposes. They were arrested and the headlines featured them again. They couple ultimately split up after Miriam caused further troubles when Frank found a new love, Olgivanna Milanoff, a Russian young woman with a small daughter.  After some time, Frankd and Olgivanna married. 

Frank and Olgivana had a daughter themselves and moved West, still making news, but with Frank's work gaining prominence and fame including the Guggenheim. Kitty died in 1959. Frank died April 9, 1959 after 30 years of marriage to Olgivanna. He was buried in Spring Green, Wisconsin along side of Mamah. 

Sherman documents his research well. The narrative features both biographic and work- related details about Wright. Several small black and white illustrations are included.